Minto to get ESPN2 exposure

By Greg Gulas

The Butler fighter will take on John Poore on July 2.

BUTLER, Pa. – Brian Minto is set to battle John Poore at Pullman Park here with ESPN2 broadcasting the July 2 WBA Fedecentro heavyweight title bout to a national audience.

The outdoor “Wednesday Night Fights” feature is to be held in conjunction with the dedication of the park and baseball field with a co-feature and four other bouts on tap that night.

Minto (30-2, 19 KOs) is no stranger to a national television audience, having appeared numerous times on ESPN and HBO cards.

He’s also one of 10 candidates on espn.com’s “Knockout of the Decade” for his KO of Vinny Maddalone on July 23, 2004 in Atlantic City, N.J.

Minto has disposed of his last three opponents rather easily with first round KOs. Prior to that, Minto lost a 12-round decision to Luan Krasniqi 15 months ago in Wurttemberg, Germany.

“I’m just excited that the national spotlight will be on my hometown [July 2].” Minto said. “It’s a very special time for me and the entire city of Butler.”

Poore (20-2, 18 KOs) has also won his last three decisions but is 4-2 over his last six bouts.

Pat Nelson of Youngstown, Minto’s manager who also represents two other fighters on the card, feels a win could earn Minto a WBA title shot.

“After a disappointing, controversial loss to Krasniqi over a year ago, Brian has rebounded well and with a win on July 2 will be looking for a world title shot in the sport’s most historic and lucrative division,” Nelson said.

“A victory could put him in line to fight the winner of the Ruslan Chagaev-Nikolay Valuev fight and if that does not materialize, I am also in negotiations with Hayemaker Promotions hoping to finalize David Haye as an opponent.

“Haye is the former undisputed cruiserweight champ who has vacated his belts in order to jump into the heavyweight mix,” Nelson said. “Also, we won’t rule out a rematch with Krasniqi who is currently 30-3 with 14 KOs to his credit.”

The co-feature will pit Tommy Karpency (11-0, 7 KOs) of Adah, Pa., against Rayco Saunders (15-10, 7 KOs) of Pittsburgh in an eight-round light heavyweight battle.

Jimmy Lubash (7-1, 3 KOs) will take on Dave Cook (3-0, 2 KOs), of Butler in a six-round middleweight bout.

Karpency and Lubash also are managed by Nelson.

“This card has a distinct local flavor with almost all of the fighters hailing from Youngstown, Pittsburgh or somewhere in between,” Nelson said. “It will be the first nationally televised card in the area since Kelly Pavlik defeated Lenord Pierre at the Chevrolet Centre in November of 2006.

“Karpency, in my opinion, is the hottest light heavyweight prospect east of the Mississippi. He’s a southpaw who just loves to bang once inside the ring.

“Lubash, on the other hand, is arguably the most interesting story in the sport,” Nelson said. “He’s deaf but he has used that shortcoming to his advantage for he seems to be more focused than others on the task at hand.

“He uses his handicap in a positive way once in the ring, blocking out any distractions,” Nelson said.

The other three bouts on the card are four-rounders and will feature: Jim Emrick (4-1-1, 2 KOs) of Butler against Darryl Spears (1-1) of Indianapolis in a heavyweight clash; Khristian Geraci (3-2-1, 2 KOs) of Pittsburgh and Youngstown’s Tom Joseph (2-1) in a welterweight bout; and Youngstown’s Billy Greenwalt (1-3, KO) against Ryan Covert who will be making his professional boxing debut in a heavyweight fight.

Tickets cost $25, $35 and $50 and may be obtained at the Pullman Park Box Office Monday thru Saturday (3-7 p.m.) or by calling (724)-287-6798.